Council Agree £6.9m Flooding Scheme

Dundee city councillors have agreed to spend £6,917,574 on a flood protection scheme.

The scheme will run from Camperdown dock to Dundee Airport; providing flooding protection to the city's new £1billion waterfront area, including the open space at Slessor Gardens.

The work - awarded to Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering - will see the height of the existing sea wall adapted and has been described as giving "a one-in-200-year standard of protection".

New setback walls are also included in the plans, as well as the installation of floodgates to provide access for maintenance along City Quay from Camperdown Dock gate to the Tay Road Bridge, and the same along Riverside Drive from Discovery Point to the Bridge View Station building.

Floodgated will also be installed to give access for maintenance between the Bridge View Station building and Dundee Airport.

The multi million pound sheme is required to reduce the risk of flooding, with Dundee City Council's city development committee approving the proposals unanimously.

"This project is one of over 40 that has been prioritised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for funding," said William Dawson, committee convener.

"A significant amount of work has been put into turning these plants into a reality, which is vital for lessening the flood risk posed to residents, community and business properties and the newly opened Slessor Gardens."

The committee convener added that work is due to begin on the site imminently, and is set to be completed by next spring.

Richard McCready, West End councillor, said that the proposals are "needed".

He said: “At a time when budgets are being squeezed, this is a considerable amount of money to spend. However, this scheme is needed to provide protection to certain areas of the city from the risk of flooding - particularly in the light of climate changes.”

Funding for the project is coming from a combination of capital funding from the council and extra funding from a Scottish Government General Capital Grant for flood projects.